St Nicholas

Just wanted to let you know that my St. Nicholas Was CHOSEN for the Directory Of Traditional American Crafts For Early American Life Magazine ..Holiday 2011...The issue will be out at the end of August or beginning of September. A TRUE honor for me!!

Thinking of Autumn

I am thinking of cool crisp breezes...no humidity...a nice sweater and my cozy socks..pumpkins in all shapes and sizes...hay bales...Indian corn...a evening walk with a chill in the air...makes one feel so alive...so inspired...wonderful scents...pumpkin spice...cloves...a fire in the hearth...a good book,,,and fresh bittersweet...the berries just turning red...I love pomegranates and crisp juicy MacIntosh apples...candy apples and caramel apples. I am NOT a fan of Summer...I was born in July...I wish it had been September. I love the color changes in the oak and maple leaves...the fall foliage is BREATHTAKING here in Tennessee. I want to start creating for fall and decorating my favorite room for Autumn  to share with you...CELEBRATE  AUTUMN!!! Is anyone else ready????

Early American Life Entry* Christmas 2011

A peek at my entry for the Early American Life Holiday Directory

This is the first time that I have entered the Holiday Directory for Early American Life magazine. I did a "St. Nicholas" with a "mouse" helper and companion and a lovely rag doll that some lucky little girl will receive for Christmas! I started with a doll dated to the early part of 1900..restored it and added a very detailed head. His suit is handsewn from 19th. Century homespun wool and lined with early chocolate brown "book muslin" ( used in the 1800's for skirt linings) and trimmed it in early turkey red and brown calico. There is so much detail that it would take way too long to describe...BUT...I thought that some of you who love Holiday folk art, might appreciate a little peek! He will be offered for sale at some point. I do hope you enjoy him!!!

Fondly, Angela

New Items On Web Site

Hope you will visit our web site http://www.ofclothandhand.com/   NEW ITEMS ADDED WEEKLY !!

Quack Quack Here And A Quack Quack There

Spring is officially here.....it just is not really spring until the baby chicks hatch and our baby goats arrive AND TODAY OUR BABY DUCKS ARE HATCHING !!!! YEAH
Our momma duck has been sitting on her nest for 31 days now.  The usual hatching time is 28 days but she has faithfully stuck to her nest through 6 thunder storms...rain, thunder, lightening and hail.  Last Wednesday we had tornado force wind and flash flooding!!  She just sat there knowing the time was near.  I had about given up....I checked her nest yesterday, day 30 and nothing and the eggs were two days late...I almost gave up hope....but today I was over joyed to find small cracks in the duck eggs!

Simple pleasures are what life is all about.  My friend, Angela reminded me today AND IT IS TRUE...A special SMILE....A Hug....The words "I Love You" (say them often) sharing a photo that brings back a flood of memories....New Life...new grand baby, new goat kids, new chicks, new baby ducks.  The joy is there..... search for it every day !!!

Easter What It means to Me

Easter is around the corner...I am planning my dinner menu and grocery list.... And truthfully, generally feeling the burden of another holiday meal without my Momma and our oldest son far away in the US Navy...
I have been in a mud puddle for many weeks now. I have gotten out every now and then but then before I know it... I am in the mud puddle again. I have asked myself why God allows this to happen or that to happen to me/ us....My Granny Lamb was such a wonderful soul. She was strong, yet gave her all to others.  My Mom told me that she had often seen Granny make supper, feed her family and she herself ate only what the others left on thier plate...this was in the late 30's when food was not plentiful.  So, what makes a person so unselfish?  Granny was always happy and when something did happen that upset her she never let it show. Life happens to each and everyone of us and not one of us will get out alive. We can choose how we will react to the events of our life.  See, that is what I have ignored.  It is a choice! I can be miserable or joyful...I don't have to be joyful about a certain event but there is still joy in my life! So.... I have decided to get OUT OF THE MUD PUDDLE  !!
I hope that each of you will feel blessed that you CAN grocery shop for your family, that you will hug your family close this Easter Sunday for we have so much to be grateful for.  Let me leave you with the words from this beloved hymn:

                                       On a hill far away,  stood an old rugged cross;
                                       the emblem of suffering and shame
                                       And I love that old cross, where the dearest and best,
                                      For a world of lost sinners was slain
                                      So I'll cherish the old rugged cross
                                      Till my trophies at last I lay down
                                      I will cling to the old rugged cross
                                      And exchange it one day for a crown